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14 Imaginative Playroom Ideas That Will Keep Kids Coming Back for More
Make your children's dreams come true with an amazing space they can call their own
A fabulous playroom is only fabulous if your children actually play in it. Many parents go to enormous lengths to fill a room with toys, only to find their kids prefer to drag toys into other areas of the house to play with them. Enticing playrooms that spark children’s imaginations and keep them amused can be created in any house with a little knowhow. These ideas will set you off on the right path to achieving playroom perfection.
2. Offer a variety of activities
Sometimes playrooms are ideal for encouraging quiet play, but there are plenty of other times when kids just need to run and jump and shout to burn off energy. The best playrooms combine activities such as Lego and play dough with action-packed adventures where they can go a little wild. The climbing and swinging equipment in this playroom does just that.
Sometimes playrooms are ideal for encouraging quiet play, but there are plenty of other times when kids just need to run and jump and shout to burn off energy. The best playrooms combine activities such as Lego and play dough with action-packed adventures where they can go a little wild. The climbing and swinging equipment in this playroom does just that.
3. Give kids a chance to hide away
Playing in a room is one thing, escaping through a secret doorway into a cubby is entirely another. Let your kids’ imaginations loose with a cosy space just for them – it’s sure to be one childhood memory they’ll hang on to.
Playing in a room is one thing, escaping through a secret doorway into a cubby is entirely another. Let your kids’ imaginations loose with a cosy space just for them – it’s sure to be one childhood memory they’ll hang on to.
4. Look for hidden nooks
If you don’t have a room to spare – or even if you do – find nooks your children can turn into play spaces elsewhere in the house. A hideout under the stairs can be magical for kids big and small.
If you don’t have a room to spare – or even if you do – find nooks your children can turn into play spaces elsewhere in the house. A hideout under the stairs can be magical for kids big and small.
5. Divide and conquer
A vast room can be far less welcoming than one split into different corners and play spaces. Separate zones are easy to achieve with shelves as room dividers. Paint is also a handy tool – this playroom has made use of sunny yellow in one section and blackboard paint in another, which makes the room more interesting.
A vast room can be far less welcoming than one split into different corners and play spaces. Separate zones are easy to achieve with shelves as room dividers. Paint is also a handy tool – this playroom has made use of sunny yellow in one section and blackboard paint in another, which makes the room more interesting.
6. Make a playroom within a playroom
Building a temporary wall and turning it into the outside of a cottage is a great idea for anyone handy with a hammer. If you turn around and wonder where your child has got to, this is probably the first place you’d look.
Building a temporary wall and turning it into the outside of a cottage is a great idea for anyone handy with a hammer. If you turn around and wonder where your child has got to, this is probably the first place you’d look.
7. Encourage rough-and-tumble play
Soft carpet, cushions or even a floor-bound couch like this one can ward off injuries and maximise fun.
Soft carpet, cushions or even a floor-bound couch like this one can ward off injuries and maximise fun.
8. Make it a haven for homework
Getting kids into the habit of doing their homework is that much easier if they have an appealing room in which to do it.
Getting kids into the habit of doing their homework is that much easier if they have an appealing room in which to do it.
9. Stash toys away
Even the smallest of rooms can become a fabulous playroom. The smaller the space, though, the more organised your storage system will need to be. This playroom works because toys and clutter can be hidden out of sight.
Even the smallest of rooms can become a fabulous playroom. The smaller the space, though, the more organised your storage system will need to be. This playroom works because toys and clutter can be hidden out of sight.
10. Go upstairs and downstairs
Just as a split-level home can work to designate different areas for different activities, a playroom can be far more appealing for the same reason. Boredom is sure to be kept at bay.
Just as a split-level home can work to designate different areas for different activities, a playroom can be far more appealing for the same reason. Boredom is sure to be kept at bay.
11. Set the scene
Making up games, plays, and make-believe scenarios is what childhood is all about. Imagine the scenes that would unfold in this amazing playroom. The hanging chair also invites kids to have some quiet solitude if they want it. It’s the perfect mix.
Making up games, plays, and make-believe scenarios is what childhood is all about. Imagine the scenes that would unfold in this amazing playroom. The hanging chair also invites kids to have some quiet solitude if they want it. It’s the perfect mix.
12. Let kids make their own fun
Overloading a playroom with toys can be overwhelming for a child – how often have you witnessed a child playing with a new toy for 10 minutes before abandoning it for ever more? Less can be more in the best playrooms; kids will put their creativity to work if given the chance. This playroom is a blank canvas; it could become a pirate ship one day, a princess’s castle the next, or just a peaceful haven in which to daydream.
Overloading a playroom with toys can be overwhelming for a child – how often have you witnessed a child playing with a new toy for 10 minutes before abandoning it for ever more? Less can be more in the best playrooms; kids will put their creativity to work if given the chance. This playroom is a blank canvas; it could become a pirate ship one day, a princess’s castle the next, or just a peaceful haven in which to daydream.
14. Adapt to their changing interests
Kids don’t stay little for long, so a playroom that can grow with your children will keep it fresh and exciting.
TELL US
Are you thinking about creating a playroom or revamping your existing one? What do you think are the essential ingredients for a playroom kids would love to use? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
MORE
10 Dos and Don’ts for a Fun and Practical Playroom
Growing Concerns: All-Age Kids’ Bedrooms
Fun Houzz: Could You Get to Grips With a Climbing Wall?
Kids don’t stay little for long, so a playroom that can grow with your children will keep it fresh and exciting.
TELL US
Are you thinking about creating a playroom or revamping your existing one? What do you think are the essential ingredients for a playroom kids would love to use? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
MORE
10 Dos and Don’ts for a Fun and Practical Playroom
Growing Concerns: All-Age Kids’ Bedrooms
Fun Houzz: Could You Get to Grips With a Climbing Wall?
Even the most toy-filled of playrooms won’t entertain children if they don’t feel drawn to the space. These colourful circle rugs create a playful pathway to the room that’s impossible to resist.